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Lesson 2: Answering to questions
Find the other lessons here: The Business English series
First, read the following dialogue out loud with your tutor, then switch roles and try again.
Jake: Hello!
Jane: Hello! Welcome to “Focus gymnastics.” How may I help you?
Jake: I would like some information.
Jane: Of course!
Jake: I would like to know when I can use the tennis court.
Jane: Tennis courts are open every day, from 8:00 in the morning until 19:00 in the afternoon. You can reserve a court here in person or by telephone, or online through our website. Availability varies, so make sure to book one at least 2 days before the date you want it.
Jake: Hmm, I see. And what else do you offer?
Jane: Our facilities have a beauty spa and a massage service at the first floor. Besides the gym, at the ground floor, you can find an Olympic size swimming pool, as well as a café and a restaurant.
Jake: Impressive.
Jane: Thank you.
Jake: How can I pay?
Jane: You can pay in two different ways. One way is in cash, and the other, with a card. If you decide to pay with a card, then you can pay the enrollment fee in 5 installments.
Jake: Well, I prefer to pay in cash.
Jane: Very well.
How may I help you?
A polite Way to Say “How Can I Help You?” |
Reserve
(v) arrange for (a room, seat, ticket, etc.) to be kept for the use of a particular person.
“a place was reserved for her in the front row”
In person
with the personal presence or action of the individual specified.
“he had to pick up his order in person”
Availabillity
the state of being otherwise unoccupied; freedom to do something.
“they enquired as to my availability for a game the following evening”
Varies
(v) Third person of vary – differ in size, amount, degree, or nature from something else of the same general class.
“the properties vary in price”
Book
(v) reserve (accommodation, a place, etc.); buy (a ticket) in advance.
“I have booked a table at the Swan”
Cash
(n) money in coins or notes, as distinct from cheques, money orders, or credit.
“Paying in cash is the best way to protect your privacy”
Pay in installments
Expression – COMMERCE, FINANCE one of a series of regular payments of a loan, debt, etc., or the system of making regular payments:
There is no extra fee for this type of installment payment.
Scenario a: You want to enroll at a Gym |
You want to enroll at a gym and you need to get some information about the services they offer. Here are some of the things you need think about.
Sport you want to practice:
Days of the week: ______________________________ Time: ___________________________________
Need personal coach?: Yes / No
You also want to know about:
• Timetable of the sport you choose
• Additional facilities
• Payment
• Others
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Scenario b: You work at a Gym |
You work at a gym and some new people want to become new members. – Think about the information you can offer.
Price of enrollment: ________ (a one-time fee: Yes / No)
Price of the subscription: ________ per month ________ per year
Services provided by the gym:
Other: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Create a timetable based on your answers in scenario b. You can always use the actual timetable of the gym you are working at, and then practice the conversation.
Time | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
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Use the following questions as a guideline to form an interesting conversation with your tutor. Feel free to diverge from these suggestions if anything interesting comes up.